Is learning how to surf one of your greatest ambitions? Has it always been on your bucket list? To soar through the waves with nothing but a sturdy board below your feet. You look ahead and see water and sand ahead of you. It may sound dangerous, but not to worry, George Egbuonu is here to tell you everything you need to know about surfing.
When you finish reading this blog, you will know all the steps to preparing, standing up, and all the safety measures to ensure you have a great time. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Preparation
Before you even think about surfing, you must prepare. Without preparation, you won’t become the surfer you aspire to be. Here are the three things you need to do to prepare.
1. Find a good surf instructor
The best way to learn how to surf is through live instruction.
Finding the proper surf instructor is essential when learning how to surf. However, you cannot just go with the first person you see. Not all surfers are good teachers. You must make sure they are suitable for you.
Some instructors are more quiet and strict, and others are more happy and interactive. You’ll need to find the proper instructor that is patient and motivational for you. They also need to have knowledge and a good amount of experience.
You can find info about your instructor by seeing reviews from past students or trying them out for a day or two and seeing if they are a good fit.
2. Find the right surfboard
Now that you’ve found an instructor, it’s time to find a surfboard.
The kind of surfboard you use can be the very difference between you failing or succeeding in your surfing career. If you have the wrong surfboard, you won’t be able to perform well.
Beginner surfboards are heavier and mostly made out of foam. If you’re ordering one online, make sure it has good reviews and it’s from a reliable company. This is so you don’t waste your money on a bad surfboard.
Your surf instructor may already know what surfboard you need. The size of your surfboard typically has to do with your height. The taller you are, the bigger the board.
3. Find a good location to surf
Every wave is different. Chances are your local beach that you build sandcastles on isn’t the right place for surfers. Instead, you might have to find another beach further away that is suitable for surfing.
Not all beaches are sufficient for beginner surfers. If the wave is too harsh, you’ll have a hard time getting up on the board and learning. If the waves are too light, you won’t have enough momentum to surf far enough.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a wave expert. There are websites which tell you about the beaches and their tides. Your surf instructor will also have enough knowledge to guide you to the right beach if you are unsure.
Overall, make sure you’re surfing on the right beach. The type of wave you are surfing with can greatly impact your learning.
Standing up on the board
Now that you’ve prepared, it is time to learn how to stand up. Before we go over the steps, you should first figure out which foot is your dominant (strong) foot. You can do this by closing your eyes. Have someone gently push you forward. The foot you step with is your strong foot.
Also, make sure when you lie down on the board, your feet are touching the tip of it. To help gain momentum, you should always paddle when you feel the wave coming. Once you have that settled, it is time to review the three steps you must take when standing up on a board.
- Prop your upper body up in a plank-like position. You shouldn’t have your butt too high or too low. Your entire body needs to be straight in order for the next step to work.
- Once you’ve gotten your upper body up, you want to take a ting step with your dominant foot. Do not step too far on the board or you will be too forward when you stand up (which will cause you to fall off). Your step should only be a couple of feet forward.
- Now that you’ve done that, it’s time for the final step. With your non-dominant foot (the one you haven’t already stepped with), take another step forward, your foot should end up in between your arms. Once you’ve done that, bend your knees, and keep your upper body straight. Spread your arms apart for balance, and be sure to look forward.
If you do these 3 steps properly, you will be able to stand up on the board. Of course, you will fall off often, but with enough practice, you will eventually stand up. It is recommended you first practice these steps on the sand with your board. That way, when you get in the water, you can do this flawlessly!
Safety
“If something isn’t safe, you shouldn’t do it.” Says George Egbuonu. Surfing isn’t a risky sport, but there are always safety measures to ensure nobody gets hurt.
When you are with your board in the water, you should never be pushing it in front of you. This is because if a strong wave comes, the board will hit you in the face. Instead, you should keep the surfboard next to you.
When a wave comes, you should grab the front part of your board and push it upwards. When done correctly the board will not drift backwards no matter how strong the wave.
Also, make sure you NEVER drag your board by the leash. Instead, you should always move the board from the front part. If you don’t follow these steps, you are bound to get injured one day.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve prepared, learnt how to stand, and followed the safety measures, you are ready to surf! Surfing is not a difficult sport, but it takes time and experience. Do not feel discouraged if you fall on the first day. Remember: practice makes perfect.